When it rains chili, it POURS chili. :) A few weeks ago, at dinner with friends and marketmanila.com readers, we were discussing a recent trip to Bangkok and the spectacular meals we had enjoyed there, and Moni mentioned she was headed to Bangkok the next day. I casually asked if she might be able to acquire some of their classic red chili powder for garnishing a pad thai dish… Fast forward a week or two later, and this ginormous box was delivered via 2GO to the Zubuchon office in Cebu, filled with perhaps a couple of kilos of the freshest, most fragrant thai chilies I could hope for!

When it comes to chili, a little goes a long way. But I gather that Moni was flush with luggage allowance (that’s what happens when you fly frequently on PAL, they reward you with 30 extra kilos of baggage which is a boon to serial shoppers like myself, and apparently, Moni too) and she very generously acquired and sent this king’s ransom worth of both whole dried chilies and chili powder. Thank you, Moni! And we are so relieved to hear you and your family and home were spared the worst effects of Typhoon Yolanda…

MM, you’re most welcome. It was fun buying the chili powder at a spices shop in Chatuchak and the dried fresh chillis at another spices store at Klong Toey market. They had a gunny sack of dried chillis and it was so cheap.

Yes, typhoon damage in Baybay, Leyte was not as much as in Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Ormoc, Guiuan and neighboring towns. I have 4 students whose houses either collapsed or were wiped out by the monster typhoon. So how do you deal with students whose parents lost their homes and livelihoods? This I learned from your reader Marla that one just has to keep on giving until it hurts …

Dec 12, 2013 | 6:44 pm

Malou
says:

Moni, my father’s ancestral home in Carigara lost its roof. Walls are still intact but the interiors are ruined due to the rains that left the house vulnerable.

My aunts and uncles are now in the process of pooling together money to get it fixed. From what I gathered, the contractor they are looking to hire would have to source materials from Manila. Construction supplies from nearby provinces like Cebu are apparently either wiped out or astronomically expensive.

Dec 13, 2013 | 1:03 am

Dragon
says:

Nati, I love my chilis and spice. I can tell you that Latin, Thai and Korean chilis are all very different in flavor and degree of spiciness. I can’t tell the exact ingredients and proportions but the addition of paprika and cayenne is a starter.

Dec 17, 2013 | 9:34 pm

Daryl L. Bendijo
says:

To Market Manila, im selling chili powder and cayenne powder either per kilo or per bottle good for people who love spice and cooking, originated in Davao Oriental and process in natural way no adding additives…For interested buyer and re-seller you can contact me at 0922-873-9178…Thank you and Good day